ANALYSIS: THE NATIONAL JOBS REPORT DOES NOT TELL LUBBOCK’S WHOLE STORY

The latest national jobs report showed employers added 29,000 payroll jobs in September while unemployment remained at 4.2%. Those figures describe the country, rather than conditions at a specific Lubbock employer.

The report also revised July and August totals downward by a combined 60,000 jobs. Revisions reflect additional employer reports and updated seasonal calculations.

Health care continued to add jobs, while financial activities employment remained below its May 2025 peak. Average hourly earnings across private payrolls reached $37.81, up 3% over a year.

That average is not a promised starting wage in Lubbock. It combines workers with different jobs and pay levels across the country.

Lubbock’s preliminary August unemployment rate was 3.9%, without seasonal adjustment. That local estimate covers a different month and uses a different adjustment from September’s national rate.

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